Milk case



April 18, 1961 Filed March 15, 1957 FIG. 1

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 L H I E F ('7 INVENTOR. Ira Bruce Young, Jr.

JVM v ATTORNEYS April 1961 I. B. YOUNG, JR 2,980,282

MILK CASE Filed March 13, 1957 2 SheetsSheet 2 FIG. 2. lo

39 ID .i

We I6 0/ o [26 o o b 37% l 36 f I \1 38 Q INVENTOR. Ira Bruce Young, Jr. BY

AT'LORNE YS United States MILK CASE Filed Mar. 13, 1957, Ser. No. 645,753 9 Claims. (Cl. 2213-1-19) This invention relates generally to milk cases and pertains more particularly to certain improvements therein lending the milk case to greater ease of handling both manually and in conjunction with automatic filling machines.

It is of primary concern in connection with'this invention to provide an improved form of milk case which is constructed in a novel manner so as to incorporate a maximum of rigidity for the purposes intended and to incorporate certain of the component parts thereof which are most subject to wear and abuse in replaceable form so as to permit the maximum use to be obtained from the assemblies, and wherein the construction embodies other constructional features adapting it particularly for use in conjunction with automatic machines for loading milk cartons into the cases and also, wherein the construction permits stacked cases to be handled by that type of hand truck incorporating a hook element for engaging the handle portion of the lowermost case in the stack, the handle portion being so constructed and arranged so as to prevent the aforementioned hook from engagingthe next uppermost case in the stack as would tend to unbalance or tip the cases above the lowermost one.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved milk case construction embodying a plurality of vertically spaced and horizontally disposed forming ribs interconnected by series'of vertical members and wherein atom 2 are fixedly secured to the bottom and engaged with side wall portions of the case to retain the bottom in place, the runners incorporating depending portions which are projectable into the mouth or open upper end of another case so that a plurality of the cases may be stacked one upon the other in partially nesting relationship.

the case is provided with a bottom of perforated sheetlike construction held in place by a series of combined runner and bumpertmembers along the lower edges of the case, the combined bumper and runner members having upper marginal edge portions which are engaged over one of the forming ribs so as to form a rigid and unitary assembly and yet one which may be easily dismantled for replacement of parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a milk case of the character described wherein the uppermost forming rib is provided with downwardly deformed hand most forming rib throughout the major portion of their lengths but are flared outwardly to join with the uppermost forming rib at their upper extremities, whereby to provide a flaring mouth for the case serving to guide cartons within the confines of the case particularly when the same are being loaded by automatic machinery.

A further object of this invention is to. provide an improved milk case constructed essentially from rod or wire-like members and incorporating a sheet-like bottom and; having along the marginal edges of such bottom a plurality of combined bumper and runner memberswhich The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a milk case constructed in accordance with this invention; a

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partially broken away showing two of the milk cases constructed in accordance with this invention shown in stacked relationship;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of an inner corner of the milk case;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through one ofthe milk cases and showing details of construction thereof; and I r v Fig. 5 is a partial bottom view showing one corner of the milk case. I

Referring at this time more particularly to Fig. l, the case in its entirety is indicated generally by the reference character 10 and will be seen to consist essentially of a plurality of wire or rod-like elements physically interconnected to form an open topped receptacle or case particularly adapted for use in connection with the reception and transportation of milk cartons or the like.

Essentially, the case is formed from a plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced generally rectangular forming ribs 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. Each of these forming ribs is preferably constructed of rod-like material and in the particular construction shown, each of such rib forms a square having rounded corner portions. {The uppermost rib 11 is preferably constructed of a little heavier gauge material than are the remainder of the forming ribs since this upper rib forms the-top of the case and is provided in each side thereoflwith a downwardly deformed handle portion, such as the handle-por; tion 16 indicated in Fig. 1. Each handle 16 is preferably disposed in a common vertical plane with the opposite end portions 17 and 18 of the rib on the corresponding side of the case and is integrally joined with such portions 17 and 18 by the downwardlyinclined rib portions 19 and 29 so that the handle portions 16 lie a substantial distance below the open upper end of the case.

As can be seen most clearly from Fig. 4, the uppermost rib 11 encompasses a larger area than do any of the other ribs 12, 13,14 or 15, the latter being of substantially identical size, the purpose of which will be pres ently apparent. 1X I The ribs 11-15 inclusive are rigidly joined-together by means of a series of vertical rod members 21 which are spot welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto; to form a rigid open framework and it is to be noted that in view of the fact that the uppermost rib 11 is larger thanithe remaining ribs, the upper extremities 22 of the vertical members must be laterally olfset to .join withand be rigidly secured to the uppermost rib 11. Preferably, the upper extremities 22 of the vertical members '21 engage onthe underside of therib 11 and arefsecured theretoso as to present a substantially smooth upper surfacegforthe I case. v. V

The constructionof the, case wherein the' upper rib 11 is larger thanithe underlyingfribsfltaken neon opposite sides of associated hand;

are 'eifig loalde'd' by "automatic machinery. That is, to t say; "the bfi ffi afdly fi-ar'eid' fifip er erfcis fifth e eftia1d1iei1i-i beis ll' a'fi'ord an easemamaaeeaamaeand he case V which-serves to permit slight-misalignment between the viilittsrriatie'loadingriizichiiiei'y and the open breather the eiee defeawires or rods- 21 having the be'rs being ofwire-like form'and lying on the"inner-sides of said forming rib and twith the upper extremities thereof projecting laterallyoutwardly' for securementt to said uppermost forming rib, a perforate bottom wall for said ease, and a bumper-runner unitdisposed along each bottorn edge of said case, said units'being secured to said botcase when ban ers-sees; Als'o, by'iiutw' 'r'al fnari gthe v t 'upp'ern'ds of the ver tical members 21,"and securing'them V onfthe ur'iderslide 01f the upperrib l-lfno j ragged wire'or' rod ends 'are'pres'ented:'on the innr siirfaceof theease e t 4 a 1 g secured around onejvof i tf min ribs-wherebyto'attach which might; damagea ridboardjmilk cartons. j The ato'ifementioned vrti'cabmemjbe r V t a tl Ia i s 6 of the upper rib and to impart a greater rigidity to the an additionallrpai'r 'of shorter vertical members 23 7 and 24 be provided whieh extend upwardly from the lowermost V V i'ib 15 'tothe'rib 12 seeond from 'ihfljttbp of the case, i and which members 23 andg24 faretbent around; the rib 12' as indicated and rigidlysec ured theretoas well as the "other ribswhose inner "sidesftl ey contact. This affords a hand grip opening 25 in eachside of the case and irnme-' diately below the hand gripping area '0: the upper rib 11.

1 r 'A combinedbumper and runner funit 26 is disposed I 7 along each lower edge'of 'the case-i and each of these members; as will'bese'en most clearly in Fig.f4, includes '7 ,'a vertical side wall. bumper portion{ 2 7 whichjextends upwardly 'onthe outer side-of the two lowermost ribs 14' and '15 and whose'upper, marginal edge isinotc hedin the region/of each Of Qthe verticalvmemb ers to provide the rindividual'tab' elements 28 which aregb ent around'therib 14am serve to' hold the members 26"iniplac'e. Each 7 is member 26 also includesan inwardly direetedhorizontal f parties; 39"ei1tending' longitudinally alongtthe lower edge 7 an fca ses afs'sembIageQitispreferredtliat on-each sidet of the case' 7 tom wall and to at least one of said forming ribs to rigidly secureqsaid bottomWa-ll saidu'nits and said side walls together-as a single unitary structure, each -of said'units including a vertical 'bumpe wall-=portion lyiugalong'the outer sideof its correspondingside of::the caseand having an upper marginal .portion presenting'aseries of tabs said units to thevsi de ewallistructuregeach, unit also including a horizontal wall portion projecting inwardly of said forming ribs'andga'depending runnenportionpsaid bottorn wall .marginally engagingsaid horizontal wall portions of said units, farid' means securing "said bottom said depending runnerportions of-said runner members wallto' said units'whereby the units, -th'e:bottom wall' and the sidewall structure are 'rigidly bntdetachably intercomnected as'a singleunitary structure; v

t 2.,"Ihe milk ease as def ned in and by claim-l 'wherein are disposed inwardly of the corresponding sides ofsaid case whereby a plurality of the casesEmay be stackedone upon the other in partially nes'ting relationship. 7

3'. A case of t the characterdescribed comprisingaplurality'of side wall forming ribs eachdeiiningapolygonal structure and said ribs j being in vertically spaced" relationgajpluralit'y of vertical members on'the innersides jofandioining" together said ribs; anda eombined'runnerbumper 'unit extendingjalong; each bottom.corner '-of; the

U shap ed runner portion 30' and on the inners'ide of'this V t i'unnet -portipn a f urther ho'riaontal wall portion 31. upper surface'of thetwovwall portions 39 and'31 are sub; st'anfially poplan'ar and form :a shelf for supporting mar- 'gmal edgeportions ofithebottorn rnemben 32. The-bottom member 32 is preferably inithe form of-the sheet having'afplui'ality "of'openingsfor.:perforations;33 therein f serving tosi iovide ventilating-means tinf such bottom and V the ,fhorizontal;Wallfibrtioh 31 ofieach runuer"is rigidly fi ed to the bottommembena's, for example, by the f It i s-preferred that the vertical walltportions Z7 ofithe runners be provided with aerating openings or perfora-:

tion's 39vsimilarito those ';provided in the bottom 32 and 'that' theoutersnrfa'ceof"eachsuch'verticaLwall portion i127 be disposedsubstantially"in' the'same vertical plane t JQasthc outer jledge of the uppermostrib 11 so that'when similar cases are disposed in side by-side relationship,

the vertical wall portions act asbumper 'element 's so V "as to prevent entanglement between adjacent cases, par-,

' ti'cula'rly on ,conyeyorbelt systems.

" Lelaimz: t it eea; forming ribs interconnected'by aseries of verfor L aid case, Lthe yertic al :mfembers lb case and, "each unit comprising a longitudinal plate portion lying against adjacent :sides ofatt leastitwo of said side walleforming ribsand' having a lower portion extendr in gt inwardlyfbe'neath thelower oneof' the said two ribs 1 ofgthe'vertical-wall bumper portion 27 andr oined with t r the inneri part, of this portion 29'is a depending gener'ally and a runner ioinedto'tliejinwardly extending lowerj'porti'on in'inwardl'y' spaced relation with the platefportion, a bottom 'rn'ern'ber of the same polygonal form as said side wall 5 forming ribs and fhavingg'peripheral portions each overlying and supported upon a runner and secured thereto, and means'detachablyjsecuriiig' thelorigitudinal vplates offsaid units to theadjace 5, -"f4.LThe invention according .to;c1"airn fs lswhrere ni each side wall formi ng iribs.

of said runners-. s: of "channel .form;;and' has one" side joined to' 'the. inwardly extending lowef'portion;of jtthe 'la'djacent' longitudinal plate 7 and a hofizontalt walL portion joinjed to and extendingiinwardly the: one; side of the-runnei' channel and secured to the bottom member.

The invention according to claim 3, vwhereinlthe isaid 'perip'her alportions of'thebottom'memberjare in a edge abutment with the adjacentlongitudin-al plates and V lie between the bottommost forming rib and the, said V runuer-bumper-units are separate'andindependent from inwardly extending lower portion of thepl ate I -6.The invention according t o'claim 3, wherein-said one another and said -last means comprises integral tabs earried by the'top edges of the plates and engaged over. m diac ta n r b-r.

7. The invention 'ac'oording to iclairn 3', wherein said formingribs are fashionedof'wire like material, the topmost rib being of a materially heavier gauge thanthe ribs therebelow,fthe inner sidesfof all: of the -ribs being in the A ease for receiving aiplurality of cartons, prising apluralityo'r' horizontally disposed vertically I sa e vertical plane whereby {the outer side's of the :top-

"mostrib'projectbeyond the outer sides of the ribs there- 7 below; and 7 said vertical ,membjersfalso ,fbeing formed of wire-lil elmateria1fand having short outturned tip'pordons at' their up'peri ends terminating belowfand rigidly seeured' to-the underside of the topndost formin ribf cal members topresent :a reticulated enclosing; side wall I I i eiugv tputturnefdfatf underside penis:

s; The invention accordingfto claiiri17wherein each of-saidlongi-tudinalplatesflies-in semen plane parallel d 'ei r 9 A mill; case for receiving a plurality of milk receptacles, comprising a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced side wall forming ribs interconnected by a series of straight vertical members joined at their bottom ends to and lying against the inner sides of at least two of the horizontally disposed ribs and forming with the horizontally disposed ribs reticulated side walls for said case, a bottom wall for said case, and an elongate combined bumper and runner unit of angular cross sectional form extending along each bottom corner of the case and receiving such corner in the angle thereof whereby one leg of the unit overlies the outer sides of horizontally disposed ribs forming a portion of the adjacent side wall and is secured thereto and the other leg lies beneath a portion of the bottom wall, the unit including as an integral part thereof a hollow channel-like runner extending longitudinally of and projecting downwardly from the under face of said other leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Klenk May 18, Johnson Sept. 26, Flagstad Mar. 10, Thomas July 12, Gettleman May 27, Bitney Mar. 16, Ferguson Apr. 5, Bruce June 20, Wickson Apr. 21, Bishop Sept. 7, Vitols Apr. 12, Rehrig Sept. 2,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Apr. 14, 

